OregonAcuraTL

Today, I was driving my 2000 Acura 3.2 TL when I stopped I noticed a burning rubber/electrical smell. I didn't see any smoke and proceeded to take my car home. The maint req. Light also turned on. After I started driving again I noticed a small sporadic rumbling sound and the rpm's were a little higher than normal. Also the temp gauge went all the way hot. Right after that I lost power to the engine. After I pulled over I was unable to start the car. I still have power from the battery ( my lights and all interior electrical works ) but it wont turn over or even click. No power to the engine. I don't know what to do.

fsttyms1

The maint req means nothing more than its time for a oil change (WHEN reset after every oil change)

Have you checked the coolant? Do you have coolant in the radiator?

You may have enough power for lights but not enough for starting the car. Have the battery load tested.

OregonAcuraTL

Unfortunatly my car broke down in the next town over. I'm getting ready to head out there and see if I can resolve the issue. I will check the fluid first and the also try and jump the battery. I also read online that it might be the main relay. I am also going to try and run a diagnostic check on it and see what codes come up.

totaledTL

If the temp. rose that high I would have it towed rather than take a chance driving it, assuming it will start. If you ever notice the temp. rising like that, shut off the engine immediately. Overheating = very bad for engine.

OregonAcuraTL

Thank you all or your help. I went out there yesterday. The car started right up. The check engine light is even off. I added coolant and a fuel injector cleaner. It's running great. To be on the safe side I took it to autozone to use their code reader. It wasn't pulling any codes so that was a good sign. I'm going to take it real easy for a while and keep an eye on it but ad for know everything is golden.

01tl4tl

you added coolant--ok it went somewhere- lets find out why and where!!
Is the res bottle now set to medium level when cold- and the rubber hose inside the cap is firmly attached- or the system doesnt work
Did you open the heater/set to hot with fan running= so its part of the burping process?

Sudden temp spike is often thermostat or rad cap prob

have zone run an electrical system test and ck the cables for crud growing inside

ck the driver side fan operation at operating temp- like sitting at idle 5-10 minutes in your driveway, hood open so you can hear, the fan should come on and off a few times
Also ck for it running after engine shutdown,,a minute is normal,,10 minutes is not and indicates fan temp sensor failure, wont run when needed
Was the ac on when the temp event happened?
does the passenger side fan run when ac is on?

If it lost coolant it has a problem- dont wait for it- find it
how many miles on car, water pump replaced? coolant age?

OregonAcuraTL

I recently purchased the vehicle and feel that that episode warrants a full tune up. The fans seem to working properly but I have noticed that when I shut off the car the fan stays on for about 5-10 min. I haven't timed it exactly but I will. All coolant levels are where they should be now. I will get it back into autozone for further checks. Also after this episode my stereo is locked so I guess I will call the local acura dealer for the unlock codes. Thanks for the help

fsttyms1

If your fans were/are running that long fluid levels are low.

As for the radio codes, you cant call them for it. Car has to go it and the radi needs to be pulled to get the serial. Have you looked in your glovebox/leather manual case for the white radio code card?

OregonAcuraTL

I have looked but it's not in there. I don't live to far from a Acura dealership. I called and they said to bring it in and they will reset it.

01tl4tl

of course thats what the phone girl- who's job it is to get cars in the shop- said!!!
bring it in we can fix it hehehehehehehehe

or you can use the diy methods and save 60 or 100 bucks
look on www.owners.acura.com and register as owner
can look up there
or online there is a free service where you enter the cars VIN and it gives the code,,try a net search for that
Some years give it up by pressing the 1 and 6 buttons on radio!

anytime you disconnect the battery or have a battery issue with voltage- the radio locks- thinking its been stolen

might have to go an underground parking lot, or disconnect antenna to make it take the code (some years) once you have it

Look everywhere I suggested for handwritten or a small white card with the codes.you might get lucky

01tl4tl

your fan runs after engine shutdown because YOU NEED a fan temp sensor
plain and simple
its not running when needed, and runs too long when not needed = no good signal transfer = bad operation,,fan runs more than 2 minutes after shutdown is definetly fan sensor!!!!!!!!!!
thats why it got hot
aftermarket or OE parts is ok

01 and later, its located passenger lower rear corner of radiator- 1 wire- screws in.
99-00 on thermostat housing up top

do that TODAY! DO NOT DRIVE it like this- expensive internal damage is occuring as we speak..anything over half is hot for the TL

01tl4tl

FYI
a `full tune up` on the TL is 6 NGK Iridium spark plugs at 8 bucks each,,no you cannot use 2 bucks each plugs the parts counter says will fit,,TL is high perf coil on plug
and will melt bosch and acdelco etc

add 1 can seafoam to half tank of gas- do that twice
clean TB air inlet plate with carb cleaner
replace engine air filter
replace cabin air filter
adjust tire pressures
wash exterior
Tune Up complete!!

no cap and rotor- wires etc to mess with

whats the current miles?

OregonAcuraTL

Thanks for all your help. I will get that done ASAP